Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2026 Subaru Forester
NHTSA data on file today
The 2026 Subaru Forester has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 35 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V685000 Do Not Drive: Loss of Vehicle Control NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V436000 Incorrect Weight Rating on Label/FMVSS 110 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V346000 Moonroof Glass May Detach NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V889000 Rear Hatch Support Bracket May Fail NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 9 complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 8 complaints
- Unknown or Other 7 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 6 complaints
- Structure 4 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 2 complaints
Together, the 35 complaints on file report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$8,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2026 Subaru Forester has an average reliability outlook, with a moderate number of complaints and three recall campaigns. Most issues involve forward collision, electrical system, and visibility, which are not highly alarming. With limited complaint data, the evidence for widespread reliability problems is thin.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision system | Unknown | $300–$1,200 | common |
| Electrical system | Unknown | $200–$1,000 | common |
| Moonroof assembly | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change
- Brake pad inspection
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Battery check and replacement
- Air filter replacement
- Transmission fluid change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Forward collision failure
- Electrical issues
- Detached moonroof panel
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2026 Subaru Forester at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.